.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his dreadful reduction in the Wimbledon ultimate, Novak Djokovic was actually laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had merely been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th significant name delayed. But it was clear he was trying to carry on as rapidly as he might when he talked to press reporters at his press conference later that mid-day." Well, the Olympic Games and US Open are actually both big objectives for the rest of the year for me truly," Djokovic stated. "I am actually hoping I can be at my finest [for] those 2 events. That is actually all I can mention at this moment." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's solution must barely happen as a shock considering his essentially unrivaled job and that he's the standing up for champion at the United States Open. Yet he has never ever very had the same success at the Olympics. He enters his 5th Gamings along with only one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. Thus right now, two weeks after his unsatisfying finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his final Gamings, with his eyes bented on the something that has actually eluded him throughout his historical profession: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened play at Roland Garros on Sunday with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next off play acquainted opponent Rafael Nadal in the second round in hopes of getting one action more detailed to his desire." [It's so special to be] part of the oldest sporting activities activity in the record of sport," Djokovic told the International Tennis Federation in May. "Obviously gaining a gold medal or gaining any type of medal for my country is actually a wonderful want as well as wish. It is among [my] best concerns and also targets for [this] time, there is actually no secret regarding that." THERE'S BIT ELSE Djokovic hasn't obtained in tennis.Since turning expert in 2003, Djokovic has gained the Australian Open 10 times (the most through any gamer in the Open time), and also is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time United States Open champion as well as three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Courthouse for the very most primary songs titles in the sporting activity's past history, and also he possesses the best in the Open era.Djokovic has won 98 job single people headlines (and also one in increases) as well as has actually stored the globe No. 1 ranking for a consolidated 428 full weeks-- another history. Djokovic also led Serbia to its own initial and simply Davis Cup title in Belgrade in 2010, something that he later phoned "the greatest sensation I ever before invited my life as a ping pong player." However while he's regularly mentioned just how much it means to him to be able to represent his country as well as the amount of he delights in the encounter of the Olympic Games, he is actually merely certainly never managed to convert his common supremacy to sport's largest stage.Djokovic gained the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic launching in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was actually the No. 3 seed, behind Roger Federer and also Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets style-- a significant distinction than the best-of-five-sets utilized by males in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled by means of the draw up until Nadal, the ultimate gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze award suit, Djokovic exceeded James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually won his very first significant name previously that season in Melbourne, could not conceal his enthusiasm after the suit." [I am actually] incredibly satisfied. I imply, to succeed any type of award in the Olympics is a large achievement for any type of sportsmen I assume," Djokovic pointed out. "Very few of the professional athletes get a chance to win a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I won right here, radiates like a gold given that I believe I have actually played decent ping pong all event." Djokovic additionally played doubles along with Nenad Zimonjic, yet both shed in the first round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champ, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony. He explained it as "an out-of-body expertise" and also a "massive pleasure and responsibility as well as respect." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had gained the title the year before, yet Djokovic dropped to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he fell to Juan Martin del Potro in direct sets. Djokovic shed again in the preliminary of increases, this moment with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's reduction in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially aggravating, due to the fact that he had won all 3 significant titles kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years in the future the difficult court in Rio, Djokovic was the top seed (and now a 12-time primary champ) but he was stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic dropped in the second sphere of doubles.But no reduction hurt harder than in 2021. Contending in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic came in after gaining all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a pursuit to sign up with merely Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only ping pong players in record to attain the "Golden Bang"-- all 4 significant labels and an Olympic single people gold in the same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his goals slammed through ultimate gold medalist Alexander Zverev. He had effortlessly taken the very first collection 6-1 however at that point succeeded simply four video games in the final pair of sets. Points evened the score much worse in the bronze medal complement versus Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic had a hard time to handle his emotions, as well as abused his racket on numerous celebrations. He shed the suit 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and after that removed coming from the combined increases bronze-medal suit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to start eventually that very same day, mentioning a left side shoulder personal injury. He had participated in seven suits in four times across pulls and it seemed it had actually all reached him." I played under medicines, extraordinary ache and tiredness," Djokovic said.He never managed to acquire his time completely back on track and dropped in the final of the US Open full weeks later to Daniil Medvedev, thwarting his adjusted objective of the schedule Conquest." [It] was actually likewise [an] emotionally incredibly asking for time frame for me in the final five, 6 months," Djokovic pointed out after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Whatever was actually collaborating for me right here and also sort of gathering all the emotional states that I've been with. Unfortunately I failed to create it in the ultimate measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a significantly various posture than he was in three years ago. Certainly not simply has he as yet to succeed a Slam this season, yet he's yet to gain a title of any kind of kind. It's his worst begin to a period due to the fact that 2006. While he stated he possesses no programs to retire, he knows time is actually going out. He will definitely be 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And returning to Roland Garros, the internet site of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might also prove difficult. He harmed his knee in the course of the French Open in June and also was actually forced to take out ahead of his quarterfinal suit. He undertook surgical treatment for a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on June 5, initially leaving his status for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final previously this month, as well as in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany supposed he would certainly neglect the grass-court event to focus on his treatment, and continue instruction on clay in advance of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic got to the All of England Nightclub a week before the major draw began. After a number of prosperous as well as pain-free techniques, he participated in and was impressive throughout his operate, showing handful of signs of discomfort or even hampered motion." If somebody informed me I will participate in [in the] Wimbledon final three, 4 full weeks back, I would take it for sure," he said.Djokovic and also his peers have actually had to promptly alter to the reddish clay after devoting recent month on lawn. The surfaces could not be much more various-- the clay-based is actually dramatically slower than the turf-- and the way players move on the court is at the same time. It is going to be difficult for even those with no bodily ailments or injuries. Probably partially as a result of this, Djokovic is going to merely be actually playing in singles at these Games.But while Djokovic seemed worn out and somewhat dejected after the Wimbledon last, he was not discouraged." Permit's view just how actually and also mentally I'm visiting really feel. With any luck I can easily locate the right tennis since I'm mosting likely to require all I have and also additional to visit the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".